Welcome to the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation

Connecting People, Country and Opportunity

Welcome to the Indigenous Land and

Sea Corporation

Front Cover: Pictured: Port Smith, Karajarri country, Kimberley, Western AustraliaPictured: Mabel Fitzpatrick (left) and Kerrie Parker (right), Nari Nari EldersPhoto Credit: Annette Ruzicka and The Nature Conservancy

In all our activities the ILSC pays

respect to the Traditional Owners

and Custodians of the lands and

waters on which we work.

We honour the resilience and

continuing connection to country,

culture and community of all

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

people across Australia.

We recognise the decisions we make

today will impact the lives of

generations to come.

Our visionWelcome to the Indigenous Land

and Sea Corporation, where we are

‘unlocking the Indigenous Estate’ so

Indigenous people enjoy the rightful

entitlements, opportunities and

benefits that the return of country

and its management brings.

What we do and whyThe Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) was established in 1995 to provide for the contemporary and future land needs of Indigenous Australians, particularly those unlikely to benefit from Native Title or Land Rights.

As the custodian of funds held in trust for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, we assist Indigenous Australians to acquire and manage land and water-related rights so that they can enjoy the rightful entitlements, opportunities and benefits that the return and management of country brings.

In redressing dispossession, the ILSC’s acquisition and management functions serve to assist Indigenous Australians to:

1. Maintain and grow the value and productivity of country;

2. Own and manage country sustainably;

3. Influence policy and opportunity for country; and

4. Strengthen culture through re-connection to country.

Pictured: Tiwi Island Ranger conducting early season fire management to protect country

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Our legislation and governance

The ILSC is a corporate Commonwealth entity under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act) which first commenced as the Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) on 1 June 1995. It was established by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2005 (ATSI Act) in response to the Mabo judgement (1992) and as such complements the Native Title Act 1993 in the recognition of common law native title rights to land.

Sitting within the portfolio of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C), the ILSC contributes to the achievement of the Australian Government’s priorities in Indigenous Affairs and is accountable to the Parliament through the Minister for Indigenous Australians.

The ILSC’s primary decision-making body is its seven-member Board appointed by the Minister. Five members including the Chair must be Indigenous Australians.

Our purposeThe purpose of the ILSC is to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to acquire and manage land, water and water-related interests so as to provide economic, environmental, social or cultural benefits.

To achieve our purpose, the focus of the ILSC’s efforts is to ‘unlock and grow the Indigenous Estate’ in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The Indigenous Estate refers to land under the care and control of Indigenous Australians, alongside the fresh and saltwater country over which there are recognised Indigenous interests.

Less tangibly, it refers to the cultural assets, cultural knowledge and intellectual property collectively held by Indigenous Australians and associated with their country.

Through our key activities we work towards achieving our purpose:

· Purchasing and returning land and water-related rights and assets to Indigenous Australians.

· Supporting Indigenous Australians to preserve and protect cultural and environmental sites and traditional knowledge through reconnection with country.

· Assisting Indigenous Australians to build their capacity and capability to sustainably manage and protect country.

· Partnering with Indigenous Australians to drive and influence opportunities for their country.

Pictured: Wild harvesting of Kakadu Plum (Gubinge) in the Northern Territory

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8 | IndIgenous Land and sea CorporatIon

Our Country. Our Future. Central to achieving our vision and purpose is the ILSC’s national funding program ‘Our Country. Our Future’, which operates across urban, regional and remote Australia.

The ILSC assists with eligible projects in four key ways: · Providing funding for the return, development or management of country;

· Providing advice and capability support for Indigenous owners of land or water-related country through information, training and systems;

· Connecting Indigenous Australians with opportunities through advocacy, networking and facilitating market access; and

· Supporting success by facilitating capability, operating and investment partnerships.

Our national funding program, ‘Our Country. Our Future’ has five broad focus areas to support opportunities for Indigenous Australians to enjoy the benefits that the return of country and its management brings.

Pictured: Tim Mallard, Indigenous trainee on Roebuck Plains Station, Western Australia

Photo Credit: ABC Kimberley

Niche Indigenous ProductsAssisting to build industries based on Australian native food and agriculture and leveraging traditional practices and cultural knowledge to grow consumer interest.

Urban InvestmentPursuing strategic land purchases in urban areas or providing management support to enhance commercial, social and cultural uses for Indigenous urban assets.

AgribusinessSupporting enterprises in key sectors including aquaculture, horticulture and livestock industries.

Conservation and Healthy CountrySupporting cultural and environmental protection and the development of enterprises based on the preservation of country.

Key focus areas

TourismSupporting the development of land, salt and freshwater country based eco-tourism operations.

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Our achievementsSince the ILSC was established in 1995, we have facilitated and partnered with Indigenous corporations and people across Australia. We have supported Indigenous Australians to bring products to market including cultural and ecotourism experiences, niche Indigenous products such as bush foods and culturally led eco-system services.

Through Indigenous led ventures and the protection of culturally significant country, we have assisted Indigenous Australians to strengthen and leverage their knowledge and culture. Since 2015, ILSC partnerships have enabled more than 650 employment opportunities for Indigenous Australians, as well as providing hands-on training experience.

Here are some highlights of our achievements in partnering with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people:

1000CuLturaLLy sIgnIfICant sItes

have been afforded greater protection since 2015

created through iLsc partnerships since 2015

650IndIgenous job opportunItIes

6.2M added to the indigenous estate since 1995heCtares of Country

268 interests purchased

for indigenous corporations since 1995

Land and water

$666 830 projects managing

and protecting country since 1995

mILLIon Invested

in to the indigenous estate since 1995

$1.24 bILLIon Invested

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Our strategiesOur National and Regional Indigenous Land and Sea Strategies (NILSS and RILSS) have been developed in consultation with Indigenous corporations and individuals to guide the performance and functions of the ILSC. Our four regional strategies include: northern, desert, south-west and south-east Australia as shown on the map below:

Sampling of ILSC Group subsidiaries and *Case Studies

Ayers Rock Resort (Operated By Voyages)

Mossman Gorge Centre (Operated By Voyages)

National Centre Of Indigenous Excellence (NCIE)

Tidal Moon*

Savanna Fire Management Program*

Wanna Mar*

Gracevale ‘Turraburra’ Station*

Gayini (Nimmie Caira)*

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Ayers Rock Resort (Operated By Voyages)

Mossman Gorge Centre (Operated By Voyages)

National Centre Of Indigenous Excellence (Ncie)

Tidal Moon*

Savanna Fire Management Program*

Wanna Mar*

Gracevale ‘Turraburra’ Station*

Gayini (Nimmie Caira)*

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

DARWIN

HOBART

SYDNEY

PERTH

ADELAIDE

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

DESERT REGION

SOuTh-WEST REGION

SOuTh-EAST REGION

NORThERN REGION

BRISBANE

MELBOuRNE

ALICE SPRINGS

CANBERRA

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Tidal Moon, Denham, Western Australia Tidal Moon looks to resurrect centuries-old sea cucumber trade

A $92,000 ILSC investment in October 2019 kickstarted an Indigenous-owned wild sea cucumber harvesting business on Western Australia’s Coral Coast.

Sea cucumbers were once traded between Indonesian sailors and Indigenous Australians from the Kimberley and Arnhem Land regions and Tidal Moon Pty Ltd is seeking to resurrect this trade route in collaboration with local Aboriginal communities.

Tidal Moon is providing some of the necessary start-up operating equipment to establish a dried sea cucumber onshore processing facility based at Denham, Western Australia.

The business will initially supply the domestic market before expanding to lucrative markets in Asia, where sea cucumbers are considered a delicacy.

Tidal Moon is keen to see traditional knowledge passed from one generation to the next in support of social and cultural wellbeing and will train and employ local Indigenous people.

Pictured: Tidal Moon Boat mooring in WAPhoto Credit: Michael Wear

The following case studies provide an insight into how we work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to deliver positive outcomes.


“Australia’s first known export was the trade of sea cucumbers and our

goal is to preserve and enhance our heritage while creating a business that

will last for years to come.”

Michael Wear Mulgana Traditional Owner and Tidal Moon Managing Director


Savanna Fire Management Program, Northern Territory Savanna Fire Management project continues to create opportunities for Aboriginal people

The $34 million Savanna Fire Management (SFM) program has been operating across the top end of the Northern Territory since 2017.

The SFM program is managed by the ILSC and funded by the INPEX-operated Ichthys LNG.

The program focuses on early burning fire management practices by Indigenous groups, protecting savanna country from damaging wildfires, and supporting the growth of carbon farming initiatives.

The program, which will run for up to 18 years, provides long-term support to Indigenous landowners, establishing sustainable enterprises on country.

Since 2017, the SFM program has engaged more than 250 Traditional Owners to assist with new project development.

A new carbon abatement project scheduled to start in 2021, is a collaboration between Thamarrurr Rangers, Asyrikarrak Kirim Rangers, and Wudicupildiyer Rangers.

This project will add over 1.2 million hectares of Indigenous land being supported by the SFM program in the Northern Territory.

As well as providing carbon offsets, the SFM program is creating opportunities for Aboriginal people to establish land management businesses, create jobs, facilitate cultural practices and care for their country.

Pictured: uriah Crocombe, Thamarrurr Ranger on countryPhoto Credit: ABC Rural: Jon Daly


“We’re creating more jobs for other outstations, communities and

getting more rangers to work on country and get out bush.”

uriah Crocombe Thamarrurr Ranger


Wanna Mar, Port Lincoln, South Australia ILSC supports Wanna Mar investment in the Southern Bluefin Tuna industry

A $3.5 million investment by the ILSC has contributed to the establishment of a new Indigenous-owned commercial fishing enterprise, a first of its kind in the area.

Funds from the ILSC have enabled the Wanna Mar group to acquire 25 tonnes of Southern Bluefin Tuna quota and launch a 50-50 joint venture with Stehr Group, one of Australia’s largest tuna producers.

Wanna Mar, a term meaning ‘Food of the Sea’ in Wirangu and Mirning languages, is supported by the Far West Coast Aboriginal Corporation, an organisation representing the interests of Native Title holders of the region.

The opportunity to acquire water-related rights in an industry where there are low levels of Indigenous participation nationally will see strong revenue streams flow back to Native Title holders.

The $7.45 million joint venture, where the ILSC funds combined with $200,000 capital investment by Native Title holders and $3.7 million Stehr Group capital and assets, is an example of how ILSC funds and expertise can be leveraged to attract private capital for the benefit of Indigenous Australians.

Pictured: Paul Vandenbergh heading out to sea from Port Lincoln, SAPhoto Credit: Mark Piovesan


“Indigenous people are under-represented in the commercial fishing and

aquaculture industries across Australia. We can bring an Indigenous flavour

to the Australian market, telling our story about our sea country and what

we’ve been doing for thousands of years.”

Paul Vandenbergh Wanna Mar Group Director, Wirangu man and member of the Far West Coast Aboriginal Community


Gracevale ‘Turraburra’ Station, Central Queensland Iningai people protect and preserve country for future generations

In 2018, the Yambangku Aboriginal Cultural Heritage and Tourism Development Aboriginal Corporation (YACHATDAC) approached the ILSC for assistance to protect valuable cultural heritage on Gracevale Station, a 8,870-hectare cattle property near Aramac in Queensland.

The Iningai Traditional Custodians had limited access to the property and significant cultural sites, including a 200 metre rock art wall that had not been formally recorded or studied.

In April 2019, the ILSC purchased Gracevale Station to support the Iningai Traditional Custodians to reconnect to their country and pursue opportunities to develop tourism and other socio-economic, cultural and environmental benefits for local Aboriginal people.

Since that time, the Iningai people have restored cleared land, excavated disused waterways and reduced cattle numbers on the property to protect culturally and environmentally significant country.

In October 2020, the Iningai people reopened the rock art gallery to visitors and renamed the property to ‘Turraburra’ which reflects the traditional name of the area.

Pictured: Gracevale ‘Turraburra’ Station waterways


“The story wall goes for about 200 metres… and it is filled with tens of

thousands of engravings, paintings and petroglyphs. The Iningai people

are proud of the work at Turraburra that will continue to preserve these

stories for future generations.”

Suzanne Thompson Iningai woman

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Gayini (Nimmie Caira), Hay, New South Wales Nari Nari people build property portfolio and environmental sustainability

The traditional home of the Nari Nari people, Gayini (Nimmie Caira) is an environmentally and culturally significant property on the Murrumbidgee floodplains in NSW.

Since 2018 Gayini has been the focus of an ambitious and collaborative wetlands restoration program. There has also been over 2,000 sites of cultural significance recorded on the property.

A successful partnership between the ILSC, the Nari Nari Tribal Council (NNTC) and The Nature Conservancy (Australia) with support from the John B Foundation, resulted in the official return of country to the NNTC in March 2020.

Nari Nari access and reconnection with country has enabled the transfer of knowledge between generations and the development of new enterprises, with benefits flowing to the local Indigenous community.

A further $1.2 million of ILSC funding has assisted the NNTC to purchase vital land and water management equipment, removing the ongoing financial burden of costly equipment and contractor hire, and providing improved employment and training opportunities for local Aboriginal people.

Pictured: Ian Woods, Chairman of the Nari Nari Tribal Council at Gayini in NSWPhoto Credit: Annette Ruzicka and The Nature Conservancy


“The Nari Nari people have been using traditional knowledge to sustain

our country for thousands of years. Having the property back in Nari

Nari hands has allowed us to pursue sustainable sources of income and the

intergenerational transfer of knowledge of caring for country.”

Ian Woods Nari Nari Tribal Council (NNTC) Chair

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The ILSC Group Structure The ILSC operates three wholly owned subsidiary businesses. These businesses operate across sectors including tourism, social enterprise and agribusiness. Through our subsidiaries the ILSC is able to build the operating success of assets in preparation for future Indigenous ownership. Subsidiaries also support Indigenous asset owners to maximise benefits and opportunities from the ownership and management of their country. This provides direct support to Indigenous training, employment and enterprise outcomes.

Currently, three wholly-owned subsidiary companies form the ILSC Group:

> Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia Pty Ltd (Voyages)> National Centre of Indigenous Excellence Ltd (NCIE)> Primary Partners Pty Ltd

COrPOrATe

SubSIDIArIeS


Voyages Indigenous Tourism AustraliaVoyages Indigenous Tourism Australia Pty Ltd (Voyages) manages some of Australia’s most iconic tourist destinations on behalf of the ILSC including Mossman Gorge Centre in north Queensland and Ayers Rock Resort at Uluru in the Northern Territory. Through its world renown tourism operations, Voyages can build and support its Indigenous staff through first-class training, employment and economic development.

Primary Partners Pty LtdPrimary Partners serves as an employment vehicle in the operation and management of ILSC owned or operated pastoral properties and businesses. Primary Partners works to build and sustain an Indigenous workforce in agribusiness by providing training and employment opportunities and maximising the productivity of Indigenous-held land.

National Centre of Indigenous Excellence (NCIE)Developed by the ILSC and based in Redfern, Sydney, the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence is a social enterprise that delivers life-changing programs to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, both locally and nationally. With a strong focus on the long-term wellbeing of young people, the NCIE provides opportunities to enhance skills through education, training and development.

Western Division (WA)Level 20, 140 St Georges TerracePerth WA 6000

PO Box 7502 Cloisters SquarePerth WA 6850

T (08) 9420 6300F (08) 9467 2800E [email protected]

Central Division (SA, VIC, TAS, NT)Level 7, 70 Franklin Street,Adelaide SA 5000GPO Box 652 Adelaide SA 5001T (08) 8100 7102F (08) 8100 7150E [email protected]

eastern Division (QLD, NSW, ACT)Level 18, 100 Creek StreetBrisbane QLD 4000GPO Box 5212 Brisbane QLD 4001

T (07) 3854 4600F (07) 3056 3394E [email protected]

www.ilsc.gov.auFREECALL 1800 818 490

Documents

Welcome to the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation